Punta Cana Shopping: Where to go?

If you’re planning a trip to Punta Cana, chances are you’re coming for the beautiful beaches and a little rest and relaxation. While you’re here, you may decide you want to do some shopping. Fortunately, Punta Cana has a variety of fantastic places to go shopping.

It’s also important to note that in Punta Cana, many places are cash only. Even places that accept credit cards will likely give you a discount of some kind if you’re willing to pay in cash. When you’re ready to go shopping, give these places a try.

Punta Cana Shopping Mall

I find that many people search for this term on google thinking that there’s only one single place to shop in Punta Cana, granted the city is not big but since it’s a tourist destination (THE #1 tourist destination in the caribbean according to tripadvisor) there are many options available for everything, including shopping.

There is no single place called “Punta Cana Shopping Mall”, there are however, plenty of options to go shopping in Punta Cana and the most famous are:

Plaza Bavaro

Plaza Bávaro can be a great place to go, but only if you’re willing to haggle. Many of the prices at this shopping plaza are over-inflated, and if you purchase what’s on the price tag, you’re probably overpaying. The nice thing about Plaza Bavaro is that there are a lot of locals that shop here, so you can get a sense of where everyday Dominicans do their shopping.

The downside is that many visitors to Punta Cana feel that the vendors and store owners at Plaza Bavaro can be too pushy in trying to convince you to buy something, but if you’re prepared for that, and you’re ready to haggle, it can be a great place to go shopping in Punta Cana.

It is a good outlet with many different shops ranging from clothes to food. I enjoyed visiting but found it to be a bit pricey so as a sight seeing place it is good but for shopping I will not recommend it. The good thing is I got to get my cell phone SIM card as there are 3 different companies to choose from.

The vendors at his mall are hungry for a sale. They are friendly, but pushy. For the best deal you have to be prepared to walk away from them. Chances are they will follow you, and make a deal original tripadvisor review

Palma Real Shopping Village

The Palma Real Shopping Village (also known as Palma Real Shopping Centre or Punta Cana Shopping Village) is one of the best places to go if you’re looking to do some serious shopping. Many people prefer this shopping center to Plaza Bavaro, as some feel that Plaza Bavaro is too intense and that the vendors are too pushy.

Most resorts offer a free shuttle bus to Palma Real, so a rental car isn’t necessary. Besides the variety of different shops, Palma Real also offers several restaurants to choose from, including U.S.-based chains such as the Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Roma’s.

Basically, this is a good place to go shopping in Punta Cana if you’re looking for something a little more upscale and a little closer to the kind of shopping experiences you can have in the U.S.

“There are plenty of high end stores, at reasonable prices at some places at least compared to Canada, really good souvenir shops a lot cheaper then the resort. the mall has an open roof and u can smoke in the mall which kinda felt a little weird. but neat at the same time.”

Schedules

Stores from 10am – 10pm

Restaurants from 10am – “until you drop”

San Juan Shopping Center

This is one of the most complete shopping mall in Punta Cana, it has a big supermarket if you’re ever in the need for some groceries. This mall is oriented, in my opinion, more towards to local people than tourists (unlike the Palma Real Shopping Village) so if you want to mingle with the dominicans while shopping this would be a good option. The San Juan Shopping Mall features over 60 stores, restaurants, banks money exchange locations, movie theater, the 3 largest phone companies in the countries have a presence here also.

They’ve opened a new gift shop called Las Americas which is one of the largest in the area with 100% dominican artisans. This new shopping venue displays the work of dominican artists in different shows over the year. The San Juan Shopping Center offers free transportation from and to most of the major hotels in Punta Cana/Bavaro/Uvero Alto independently run by the mall staff.

A good choice of shops and most hotel provide free transport .Very keen prices and the phone guy in samsung sorted out a problem with my mobile phone. Also a supermarket where i would taking local currency as the cashiers always point you to the nearby bank .

Bi2JH2O Artisanal Shopping Plaza

Pronounced “bibijagua” (bee-ja-gooah ). Located in the sands of Bavaro Beach, this bazaar like marketplace is a great place to shop for cigars, handicrafts, mamajuana, handmade musical instruments, paintings, wood carvings, sculptures and amber, larimar, and coral jewelry. Accesible by foot from various hotels and by cab.

Galerias at Puntacana Village

The Galerias at Puntacana Village lie within a booming residential complex on the way to the airport. Originally built for the employees of the Punta Cana Resort living in Punta Cana but now they have become a famous tourist draw.

There are various restaurants with different atmospheres, a supermarket, commercial banks, doctor’s office, international school and churches.

Shopping Within Your Hotel

If you don’t feel like coming out of your hotel you can shop for presents and souvenirs within the hotels gift shops, expect to pay considerably more though.

Caribbean Street

Caribbean Street is a fantastic place to go shopping in Punta Cana. Accesible only from within the ClubHotel Riu Bambu with its adorable, brightly colored shops and palm trees lining the street, it has a very authentic Caribbean vibe.

There are a variety of stores to choose from as well. Besides practical stores, such as a pharmacy and a gym, Caribbean Street has a number of gift shops and boutiques selling one-of-a-kind clothing. There’s also a Harrison’s Jewelers, which makes some of the finest jewelry in the Caribbean.

If you’re up for a splurge, it’s a great way to get something unique so you’ll always remember your trip to Punta Cana.

Hi, my wife was offered a deal for snorkeling and speed boat tour for $110 for two. The guy said his name is Anthony. His shirt says that he works for the #1 market on Bavaro beach. We went to the market. Another guy wanted me to buy cigars but we were interested in the tour. He wrote a receipt and gave it to us for the tour. I told him that I would do some research. He said he had a business card so I can check on him. However, there was no business card and I can not find any information. He said we were set for 10:30 but no schedule for when the boats were leaving etc. When we were in Jamaica we found a deal like this. The guys in Jamaica had business cards and had a lot of good reviews on trip advisor. What are your thoughts?

He could be a legitimate but informal seller or he could be a scammer. I would absolutely not recommend booking tours from someone on the beach… try to book online or on your hotel lobby. I hope you didn’t lose your money. Kind regards.

Hello,
We plan to stay at Bavaro Green apartment community in March 2018 and would like to know where the best place is to buy grocery for the month. What would be the most economical transportation of getting around in Punta Cana? Thank you.

we will be at the Alsol del Mar, Capa Cana and would like to venture out for some shopping and Authentic Dominican Food. Maybe do some excursion that we can learn more about your beautiful country, do some swimming see some of your beautiful beaches we were in Punta Cana 14 yrs ago with our son when he was 5 and he had a blast boogie boarding. Then I was there again with my 83 yr old mom, so we didn’t do much. Now it’s my 20th Anniversary well deserved.

I am trying to contact two of the Harrison Jewelry Stores in Punta Cana. The one in the Plaza near the Riu Bambu and the one in the Riu Plaza. I purchased a necklace from them and want to get another one. Can you help by providing me with their phone numbers?

Was wondering if Punta Cana has a jewelry store that sells Tanzanite Jewelry? My husband and I are traveling to Punta Cana in May and trying to find a local willing to show us around including the culture and food in Punta Cana, Are you willing to help us out? Please let me kn ow, THANK YOU!!!!!

LOL, I don’t live in Punta Cana but have visited many many times… I have never stayed at any Riu’s either but did get to shop there a couple of times… once via taxi and once via beach access 😉 They really don’t care as long as you’re shopping LOL